I am a qualified HCPC-registered psychologist running a private practice based in Bournemouth and Christchurch focusing on physical health & psychological wellbeing. We all experience difficulties in our lives. Most of the time we manage to overcome these difficulties, where we can build resilience & even thrive in the face of adversity.
There are other times however, when even with our best efforts, our struggles may persist and can stop us from enjoying life to the full. It's at these times seeing a professional psychological therapist may be beneficial.
There are other times however, when even with our best efforts, our struggles may persist and can stop us from enjoying life to the full. It's at these times seeing a professional psychological therapist may be beneficial.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a therapeutic approach that falls under the Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT) umbrella. We can develop unhelpful ways of reacting and responding to our thoughts and feelings, increasing our distress and being pushed around by them.
The Acceptance aspect of ACT involves developing Mindfulness-based skills to help us manage these unhelpful or distressing thoughts and feelings more effectively such that they have less impact and influence over our lives.Through this process of being more mindful and connected to our experiences, rather than being pushed around by them, we can become freer to connect what's truly important to us.
The Acceptance aspect of ACT involves developing Mindfulness-based skills to help us manage these unhelpful or distressing thoughts and feelings more effectively such that they have less impact and influence over our lives.Through this process of being more mindful and connected to our experiences, rather than being pushed around by them, we can become freer to connect what's truly important to us.
We all have the capacity to develop self-critical thinking, and so often fall in to criticising, blaming or doubting ourselves. This can particularly be the case when we hit our most difficult times in our lives, times when in fact we need the most support.
Sometimes helping others can come very easily to us, but the thought of being caring and compassionate towards ourselves can feel too self-indulgent or feel like we are letting ourselves off the hook.These patterns of relating to ourselves rather than helping us when we need it, can in fact contribute to keeping us stuck.
Sometimes helping others can come very easily to us, but the thought of being caring and compassionate towards ourselves can feel too self-indulgent or feel like we are letting ourselves off the hook.These patterns of relating to ourselves rather than helping us when we need it, can in fact contribute to keeping us stuck.
Below is a list of various Mindfulness tracks I have recorded. If you would like to read an introduction to mindfulness, see here, or for further resources relating to Mindfulness, go to my Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) or Approach to Physical Health pages. Also, Dr Chatterjee has a podcast with Michael Acton Smith, which is a helpful and accessible introduction to Mindfulness.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach originally developed by Francine Shapiro, Ph. D. to address trauma and it has been shown to be effective not only for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but also all forms of anxiety as well as depression, grief and mourning, addiction, pain and physical health and many more issues.
I am grateful to have found Dr Matt. He is perceptive, knowledgeable, patient, understanding and above all has true empathy. With his help, I am overcoming decades of chronic trauma issues that have truly haunted me for my entire life. It can be a daunting decision to seek help but I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Reviews (4)
S. Gardener
Dec 05, 2020
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I am grateful to have found Dr Matt. He is perceptive, knowledgeable, patient, understanding and above all has true empathy. With his help, I am overcoming decades of chronic trauma issues that have truly haunted me for my entire life.
It can be a daunting decision to seek help but I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. A decision made much easier by choosing to work with Dr Matt.
I consider myself lucky to have found him and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone seeking help, particularly those who have been through traumatic experiences that they are struggling
It can be a daunting decision to seek help but I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. A decision made much easier by choosing to work with Dr Matt.
I consider myself lucky to have found him and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone seeking help, particularly those who have been through traumatic experiences that they are struggling
Robin H.
Sep 28, 2019
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Nothing less than transformational!
I came to Matt for help in thinking through my future direction in life, career etc. Matt helped me discover a much deeper understanding of myself, what aspects of everything that ‘fire’ me and as a result I’m thinking a lot clearer about my future and have a much improved relationship with my wife & family. I’ve learnt a few tools to think things through on my own. Unlike any other therapist I have met, Matt is willing to share a little of how he feels on a topic, his experiences and even a little vulnerability which really helps him to act as a really
I came to Matt for help in thinking through my future direction in life, career etc. Matt helped me discover a much deeper understanding of myself, what aspects of everything that ‘fire’ me and as a result I’m thinking a lot clearer about my future and have a much improved relationship with my wife & family. I’ve learnt a few tools to think things through on my own. Unlike any other therapist I have met, Matt is willing to share a little of how he feels on a topic, his experiences and even a little vulnerability which really helps him to act as a really
Cf Psychology
Dec 01, 2018
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I have found the group ACT supervision that Matt has provided for myself and my colleagues to be a most useful adjunct to the training that I have undertaken in this model of therapy. His thoughtful, approachable, professional manner have helped greatly in creating a safe space for us to explore ideas and participate in experiential exercises without worry about judgement. A lovely mixture of theory, practice and reflection and often the highlight of my week!
Matt Harris
Nov 13, 2017
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Matt has a kind, calm, approachable and professional manner. With the combination of a consultative approach, the two of us working in partnership and checking in on progress, I have gained a better understanding of how I deal with worry and overthinking, what triggers these things along with skills to handle the overactive mind. Over 6 sessions Matt was able to pinpoint the areas I was struggling with and also recommended some excellent books to help me further. I discovered with Matts help how to put things in perspective and how to regain my self esteem and assertiveness whilst many discussion
